WAX2000061006 - 10 JUNE 2000 - WASHINGTON, DC. USA: Syrian President Hafez al-Assad, died at the age of 69 in Syria, June 10, 2000. He was the region's longest ruling leader, controlling Syria for 30 years. His son Bashar is expected to succeed him as leader. mc UPI

Hafez al-Assad (Arabic: حافظ الأسد‎ Ḥāfiẓ al-Asad, 6 October 1930 – 10 June 2000) was the President of Syria for three decades. Assad's rule was praised for consolidating the power of the central government after decades of coups and counter-coups, such as Operation Wappen in 1957 conducted by the Eisenhower administration and preceding covert failures, and continued foreign meddling thereafter. His rule brought modern changes, including the 1973 constitution which guaranteed women's equal status in society. Economic reforms industrialized the country and it was opened up to foreign markets. He invested in infrastructure, education, medicine, and urban construction, contributing to the creation of a broad middle class. Literacy was drastically increased and economic booms experienced.

He also drew criticism for repressing of his own people, in particular for ordering the Hama massacre of 1982, which has been described as "the single deadliest act by any Arab government against its own people in the modern Middle East". Human Rights groups have detailed thousands of extra-judicial executions he committed against opponents of his regime.

He was succeeded by his son, current president Bashar al-Assad, in 2000.

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